Lastweek brought a stopover of the laden capesize bulker Frontier Discovery for bunkers. As a cape size, she is too large to fit through either the Panama or Suez Canals, and is typically restricted to working one ocean, as leaving requires sailing around the southern tip of Africa or South America.

She doesn’t look that large form this angle, but the bridge wings certainly give her away.

The 2015 cruise season at the Port of Halifax will begin on April 19, 2015 with the arrival of the Regal Princess.This will be the first call for the Regal Princess at the Port of Halifax and will be the first of eight inaugural calls during the 2015 season.

This year, the Port of Halifax is planning to welcome 146 cruise vessels carrying approximately 240-thousand passengers plus crew. This year also marks the 175th anniversary of Cunard’s first regularly scheduled transatlantic voyage.

On July 4, 1840, the RMS Britannia left port in Liverpool and made Halifax 12 days later. To celebrate the anniversary, flagship Queen Mary 2 will recreate that historic first crossing including a stop in Halifax, the hometown of Sir Samuel Cunard. “It is very important for us to include Halifax as part of the celebration of the original transatlantic crossing,” said Richard Meadows, President, Cunard, North America. “I think our visionary founder would be proud to see the ties between the line he created and his hometown are still holding strong after all these years.”

Other highlights in 2015 include: • Eight inaugural calls • Over 25 calls where properly equipped vessels will be able to access shore power • Five visits from the Queen Mary 2 during the 2015 season. Her first call will be on July 10, 2015. • October 1, 2015 will be the only five ship day • October 16, 2015 will be the busiest passenger day with just over 10-thousand passengers expected plus crew.

Last here in 2011, CSL Spirit has been operating as a shuttle bulker to load iron ore onto larger bulkers for export. As large bulkers are 2 large to tie up at the pier, CSL Spirit is loaded, then offloads into the larger vessel anchored off shore. Several trips are required to fill one vessel.

I expect once she is done bunkering, she will sail back to Sept-Ills. CSL Spirit also severed national gypsum on numerous occasions.

Allise P was spotted yesterday filling in on a trip for Hapag llyod’s PAX service. Built in 2007 in Ulsan, South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries, she was immediately chartered as Maersk Dubrovnik. That charter ended in December, and it would appear she underwent a work period before showing up on the PAX service. (Note the clean Paint)

The new service deployment will begin February 19, 2015 when the vessel, MV Selfoss, will join MV Reykjfoss and MV Skogafoss on its “Green Line” route. Originating in Reykjavik, Iceland the vessel will then travel to Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador. The next stop will be Halifax before going on to Portland, Maine. This service will also have direct connection with European destinations, including Reykjavik, Iceland, Immingham, United Kingdom and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

“As a result of this service enhancement, the number of Eimskip calls in Halifax will increase from 13 to 31 calls per year giving our customers additional options for cargo destined and originating in Europe,” said Jeff Simms, Managing Director, Eimskip Canada Inc. “This is good news for our intra-­‐North American customers as well and will provide one more channel for Nova Scotia exporters to move goods into the New England states, acting as a feeder service for the 14 other carriers calling Halifax.” To support the expanded service, Eimskip is planning to open a local office in Halifax.

The inbound rotation for this service will originate in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and include Immingham, United Kingdom; Reykjavik, Iceland; Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador; Halifax, Nova Scotia and Portland, Maine. The outbound call will start in Portland, Maine and will include Argentia and St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador, Reykjavik, Immingham, and Rotterdam.

The unladen tanker Aias stopped for bunkers on her outbound trip form the Canaport facility in Saint John NB. Despite being home to Canada’s largest refinery, the Port of Saint John does not offer bunkering services.

After topping up her tanks, She sailed out around noon bound for Whiffen Head NF.